51ĀŅĀ×

First-generation college students drop out at nearly , often because they lack the support systems that make navigating higher education possible. OHIO Online student Kim Brown lived this reality twiceā€”dropping out 20 years ago, then leaving school again when her parents passed in 2019. But her third attempt at college is finally working, and itā€™s because the needs of first-generation college students are a natural match for the support services offered to online students at 51ĀŅĀ×. 

Like many other students who suffer loss during school, in 2019  Brown decided to stop her studies and focus on healing. She thought this was a sign that college was not for her and said at the time, "College was never going to be my option." 

However, that was not the end of her academic career. When Brown was diagnosed with severe anemia, a doctor told her that she needed to change her line of work. Since she could no longer work in security, she decided to pivot and get a certification in project management. The certificate helped her get her foot in the door, leading a team of copywriters at Spectrum. As a manager and the only team member in her office without a college degree, Brown became determined to go back to school. She chose to return to school with OHIO Online, and it changed the trajectory of her life and career.   

Brown is now studying communication in the Scripps College of Communication, which is a natural fit for someone managing telecommunications content. Brown says, "All of the different classes that I've taken at 51ĀŅĀ× have had a direct connection to what I do with my communications at work." Whether she's writing internal work emails or communicating with external business partners, she said, "51ĀŅĀ× has helped me to really understand the power of writing and how it can transcend over different people in an organization."

In addition to her assignments being relevant to her daily work, one of her class projects even helped her secure a leadership position. In one of her media courses with Associate Professor Bryan Plow, she wrote a story about a black man with superpowers. She utilized AI to create a comic book structure surrounding the narrative. When an opportunity arose to join Spectrum's AI committee, Brown presented this assignment to the board. The board was impressed by the comic and invited her to join Spectrum's AI committee. Brown speaks very highly of Plow, who she says helped her find her voice and express creativity in new ways. Creating content that helped her get ahead at work was just an additional benefit of taking his class. 

Brown also credits OHIO Online's support services with her current success. The difference in her college experience this time? Real support. When Brown hit rough patches, her advisor was there to help her course correct. And unlike traditional college, she could access library services and writing help after hoursā€”no more choosing between her job and her education.

Her virtual classmates have also been part of her support system: "Another beneficial thing is knowing that group discussion boards are in [Canvas]. Your professors are a resource, but everyone in that class is a resource too." This collaborative online environment fosters a sense of community where students can share insights and ask questions.

When asked about her future, Brown plans to pursue a Master of Arts in Organizational Communication with OHIO Online, and then eventually obtain a doctorate to become a professor. As a first-generation student, this would be a massive accomplishment. She hasn't told her sister or other family members that she went back to school and plans on surprising them closer to graduation time in 2026 with a graduation invitation and an 51ĀŅĀ× sweatshirt.

For other first-generation non-traditional aged students who are thinking about getting their degree or going back to school, she gives this advice: "Never say never. Being 40 getting my bachelor's degree, you would think going back to school would be impossible. I can honestly tell you it's not. Change your mindset about thinking that you are too old to do something. Believe that you can do whatever you set your mind to do, because age is just a number, it's not a limitation."